Hydrant systems



Aug. 1956 L. c. KIEGER 2,759,639

HYDRANT SYSTEMS Filed Oct. 26, 1951 2 Sheeis Sheet 2 I j 56 7 I INVENTOR Zou is C ff/eyer ORNEY United rates Patent HYDRANT SYSTEMS Louis C. Kieger, St. Paul, Minn.

Application October 26, 1951, Serial No. 253,354

8 Claims. (Cl. 222-318) This invention relates to an improvement in hydrant systems wherein it is desired to provide a storage system for water and a hydrant which may be used for priming purposes and the like.

In many rural areas where a water supply system is not readily available, difficulty is experienced in fighting fires and the like. In such an event, it is necessary for the fire fighting equipment to run hose lines to the nearest source of water supply and to pump water from this supply. Often times this task requires considerable time and requires a lengthy water line. As a result in some instances fire has caused damage to the burning building long before the Water supply may be tapped and pumped to the fire.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a well within which a water supply may be stored. This Well may be filled from time to time as is required and normally contains a considerable amount of water. The water tank is preferably located at a sufiicient distance below the earth to prevent freezing of the water during cold weather. A vertical man hole extends upwardly to the surface of the ground and provides an opening into which the water hose may be in serted for drawing the water from the well when it is required. This vertical man hole is provided with a hydrant structure which may be employed to pump a predetermined amount of water from the well and to permit the priming of any centrifugal pumps in the pumping equipment.

The centrifugal pumps of pumping equipment are usually provided with priming pumps by means of which the suction line from the pump to the water supply may be filled with water. Pumps of this type will not function unless they are primed. From time to time the priming pumps do not function properly or require considerable time to function. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a quick supply of water which may be used to prime the pump in an emergency and thus to decrease the time necessary to set the pump in operation.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a tank which is sectional in form and therefore may be provided in any desired number of sections to hold the required amount of liquid. The vertical man hole is provided at one end of the tank in a special end section. This end section preferably includes a sump which is located at the bottom of the tank in alignment with the man hole. As a result the entire contents of the tank may be emptied by inserting the suction line into this sump.

An added feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a priming pump which is slidably supported in the man hole. The man hole is usually covered by a suitable cover plate extending over the top of the man hole in the usual manner. The hydrant and pump includes an elongated vertical tubular member which is slidably supported in the man hole and which may be raised above the level of the ground when it is desired to use the pump for priming purposes. When the pump is not in use, it may be retained in lowered position.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a water storage tank having a pump acting as a supply hydrant and extending down into the tank. This pump is slidably supported and is provided with a detachable handle by means of which the pump may be operated. The removal of the handle eliminates much of the difficulty which might otherwise be experienced by unauthorized use of the pump and hydrant.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification:

Figure l is a side elevational view partly in section showing the tank and the pump and hydrant member which is vertically reciprocable therein.

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view of the upper part of the pump showing the manner in which the pump rod may be actuated.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the pump mechanism illustrated in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view through the lower end of the pump showing the actual pump casing and valve structure.

The hydrant structure includes a tank which is indicated in general by the letter A. This tank is shown as including an end section 10, an intermediate section 11, and an end section 12. The end section 10 is provided with a closed end 13 and is provided at its opposite end with a peripheral flange 14 which is bolted or otherwise affixed as indicated at 15 to an end flange 16 of the intermediate section 11. The section 11 is provided with a second flange 17 at the end opposite that having the flange 16. The flange 17 is designed to extend adjacent to the end flange 19 of the end sect-ion 12. The flanges 17 and 19 are connected together by bolts 20 or other suitable means. While only one intermediate section 11 is illustrated, any desirable number may be employed to provide a tank of the desired size and capacity.

The end section 12 is provided with a closed end 21. A vertical sleeve 22 is secured to the tank section 12 to extend upwardly therefrom near the closed end 21. The sleeve 22 is provided with a peripheral flange 23 which is designed to extend adjacent to the lower end flange 24 of a tubular sleeve 25 forming a man hole. The flanges 23 and 24 are secured together by bolts 26 or other suitable means.

The sleeve 25 is provided with a normally open upper end 26 which is closed by means of a man hole cover 27 of any suitable shape or design. The cover 27 is provided with a ring 29 by means of which it may be lifted out of place. The cover 27 may be held in place merely by friction or weight, or may be provided with suitable clamping means to hold the same firmly in place.

As indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings, a sump 30 is provided at the lower end of the tank section 12 beneath the man hole sleeve 25. This sump 30 extends below the level of the remainder of the tank and forms a pocket into which the water will drain after the remainder of the tank is emptied. This sump also tends to collect dirt and sediment and tends to make the rest of the tank clean. In the preferred form of construction, the man hole is of proper size to admit a person so that the tank may be cleaned at intervals.

A sleeve support 31 is mounted within the man hole sleeve 25 in any desired manner. The sleeve 31 slidably supports an elongated vertical tubular member 33. This member 33 is connected at its lower extremity to a pump casing 34 which is preferably of somewhat larger diameter than the tubular member 33. The pump casing 34 is pr0- vided withabottomclosure plate 35 having a valve opening 36 therethrough. A valve 37 is provided with a valve rod 39 Which is slidably supported in a guiding cage 40. The cage 40 is secured to the bottom closure 35 of the pump casing and aets to *guide the valve '37 in its vertical movement. A valve spring 41 is positioned between the upper portion of the valve guide '40 and the 'valve body 37 to normally urge the valve into position to close the valve opening 36.

In order to prevent dirt and sediment from entering the valve-casing, 'I provide a screen '42 which is secured to the bottom closure 35 of the pump casing and tends to screen the liquid passing him the valve opening 36. The screen 42 is shown as being serni-spherical in shape although the particular shape of the screen is not of greatest importance.

A pump piston 43 is slidably supported within the pump housing 34 and're'c'iproca-tes vertically therein. The pump piston is provided with packing members '44 of proper design to fit snugly against the walls of the pump housing or cylinder 34 and 'to form a substantial seal in conjunction therewith. An upwardly extending yoke is secured to the upper surface of the pump piston 4-3 and includes a transverse guide member 45 extending in parallel relation to the piston 43 and spaced upwardly therefrom. The guide member 45 is provided with a guide aperture 46 there'through to accommodate the guide stem 47 of a valve 49. The valve is provided with a spring 50 interposed between the guide member 45 and the body of the valve. The valve 49 fits into a valve aperture 51 in the pump piston and normally prevents the liquid from passing by the piston when the piston is moving in one direction. In other Words, the valve 49 acts as a check valve to permit water to pass the piston 43 on the downward stroke of the piston but does not prevent the liquid to flow by the piston during the upstroke thereof.

The yoke 45 is provided with 'a continuation '52 which forms a means of connectin'gthe piston 43 to the pump rod 53. The pump rod 53 extends upwardly above the piston and through the tubular member 33.

The upper portion of the pump structure is best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 of the drawings. The tubular member 33 is provided with a lateral extension 54 at the upper end of the tubular member which acts as a water outlet for the 'top of the pump. The extension 54 may be threaded or provided with a coupling member by means of which it may be attached to a hose or the like. The upper end of the tubular member 33 is provided with a closure plate '55 having an axial aperture 56 therethrough. This axial aperture 56 accommodates the upper end of the pump rod 53.

A bifurcated yoke 57 is bolted or otherwise attached at 59 to the upper end of the pump rod 33. A pivot 64) extends across the yoke '57 to pivotally attach this yoke to a ring shaped bracket 61. This ring shaped bracket is provided with an extending lug 62 through which the pivot 60 extends and is apertured as indicated at 63 to ac commodate a pump handle 64. The aperture 63 is of proper size to freely accept the handle 64 so that it may be slidably supported therein.

The bracket 65 is secured to the upper end of the closure plate 55. The bracket "65 is provided with a lateral anchoring portion 66 and a vertical portion 67 extending angularly from one end thereof. A gusset plate 69 connects the flanges 66 and 67 so as to strengthen the structure. The vertical portion 67 of the bracket is provided with an aperture 68 extending therethrough for accommodation of the reduced end 70 of the pump handle 64. The pump handle is provided at its opposite extremity with a hand engaging handle portion 71.

A bracket 72 is supported on the side of the man hole sleeve 25 and acts to support a pulley 73. A cord or cable 74 extends over thepulley 73 and is anchored at one end at 75 to the tubular member 33. A counter- 4 weight 76 is secured to the opposite end of the cable 74 so as to counter-balance at least a portion of the Weight of the tubular member 33. As a result the tubular member may be readily elevated when the cover 27 of the man hole 25 is removed.

A drain cock 77 is secured to the tubular member 33 near the lower extremity thereof. This drain cock is provided with an operating handle 79 attached to a vertically extending rod 80. This rod 80 is slidably supported by guides 81 and 32 secured to the tubular member 33. The topper end 83 'of the rod 80 is bent angularly to the vertical portion of the rod so as to provide a handle by 'means of which the rod 84 may be rotated. Rotation of the rod 30 acts :to rotate the valve stem or handle 79 to control the drain cock 77. This drain cock 77 may thus be employed to drain liquid from the major portion of the tubular member 33 to prevent this liquid which is otherwise above the level of liquid within the tank A to freeze 'in'cold weather.

The operation 'of the device is believed obvious from the foregoing description. The tank A is recessed 'intoth e ground and the man hole 25 is of suificie'nt length to position the tank below the level whereitwouldordinarily be altected by freezing weather. The tank is filled from time to time as it becomes necessary, this filling operation being by any suitable means. For example a tank truck could be employed to fill the manholes at intervals and to make sure that a proper supply of water is available.

When the device is not in operation, the tubular member 33 is entirely enclosed within the tank and man hole and the cover 27 is in place. Obviously the removable handle 64 is removed during this storage and is normally carried by the fire fighting truck. VVhen it is necessary for the water supply to be used, the cover 27 is removed from the man hole, and the tubular member 33 pulled upwardly. The suction line from the pump is connected to the lateral extension 54 by a suitable hose coupling. Any additional suction lines may be inserted into the man hole to extend to the bottom of the tank and preferably into or near the sump 30. The pump handle 64 may be inserted through the bracket 61 and into the aperture 69 and this handle may be used in the ordinary manner for reciprocating the pump plunger. Water may thus be pumped from the outlet 54 to the hose leading directly to the suction intake of the centrifugal pump or the water may be inserted into a pail or other recep'table and used in the pump priming operation. As soon as the pump is primed it will draw water from the tank either through the hydrant or through a suction line inserted through the man hole. When water is drawn by suction through the hydrant, both valves 37 and '49 are drawn upwardly so that water may flow freely thereby.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation ct my hydrant system and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I'claim:

.l. A hydrant pump and primer construction including in combination a tank designed to be positioned beneath the level of the ground, a man hole sleeve projecting upwardly from said tank a support mounted in said sleeve and spaced from the upper end thereof, a tubular member slidably extending above said manhole sleeve and providing a fluid outlet slidably supported by said support Within said man hole and slidable vertically therein for placement of a manhole cover thereover, a pump casing at the lower end of said tubular member, a pump mechanism within said pump casing, a pump outlet on said tubular member and movable therewith, and a pump rod extending through said tubular member,

said tubular member being slidable into said man hole.

2. The structure described in claim 1 and including a loosely mounted pump handle for actuating said pump rod, said pump handle bein slidably detachably connected at the upper end of said tubular member.

3. The structure described in claim 1 and including counter-balancing means for aiding in raising and lowering said tubular member so that the upper end of said tubular member may be contained within the confines of said man hole sleeve.

4. A hydrant structure including in combination a tank, a sump near one end of said tank, a man hole sleeve projecting upwardly from said tank in alignment with said sump, a support mounted in said sleeve and spaced from the upper end thereof, a tubular element vertically slidably supported by said support in said man hole for movement completely into or out of said man hole, a plunger pump connected to the lower end of said tubular element, said plunger pump extending into said sump in a lowered position of said tubular member into said manhole sleeve, and means extending through said tubular member for actuating said pump.

5. The structure described in claim 4 and including a water outlet at the upper end of said tubular member and movable therewith.

6. A hydrant construction including in combination a sectional tank designed to be buried into the earth spaced below the surface thereof, a man hole extending upwardly from said tank, a cover for said man hole, and a pump relatively mounted and slidably supported in said man hole for movement, said pump including a pump casing, a piston within said casing, a tubular member extending upwardly from said casing and slidable in operative relationship therewith, a piston rod connected to said piston extending through said tubular member, a clevis member secured to the upper end of the piston rod, a ring-shaped bracket pivotally mounted to said clevis member, an outlet at the upper end of said tubular member slidable into and out of said manhole, a slotted bracket secured to the upper extremity of said tubular member, and a handle pivotally and slidably detachably connected to said bracket and slidably received in said ring-shaped bracket for actuating the piston rod upon oscillation of the handle.

7. The structure described in claim 6 and in which the tubular member is vertically slidably supported within said man hole and is movable from a position with the upper end of the tubular member enclosed within said man hole to a position in which the upper end of the tubular member is above the level of the man hole.

8. A hydrant structure including in combination a tank, a sump near one end of said tank, a man hole projecting upwardly from said tank in alignment with said sump, a tubular element vertically slidably supported in said man hole for movement completely into and out of said manhole, a plunger pump connected to the lower end of said tubular element, said plunger pump extending into said sump in lowered position of said tubular member into said manhole, means extending through said tubular member for actuating said pump, a drain cock extending into said tubular member adjacent the lower end thereof and movable therewith, and operating means carried by said tubular member and movable therewith extending to a point adjacent the upper end of said tubular member by means of which the drain cock may be actuated.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 262,561 Bennett Aug. 15, 1882 309,756 Beehe Dec. 23, 1884 482,692 Neth Sept. 13, 1892 493,694 English Mar. 21, 1893 654,323 Price July 24, 1900 774,889 Murphy Nov. 15, 1904 881,347 Schlageck Mar. 10, 1908 1,653,661 Riley Dec. 27, 1927 1,707,084 laden Mar. 26, 1929 1,947,088 Johnson et a]. Feb. 13, 1934 1,963,783 Fox June 19, 1934 2,221,763 Ginter Nov. 19, 1940 2,330,708 Harlow Sept. 28, 1943 2,576,740 Wilson Nov. 27, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 254,454 Great Britain July 8, 1926 

